Home to Roost
Imagine your city—like Washington Terrace in Weber County—is about to decide whether to allow residents to keep backyard chickens. While it might seem like a niche issue, it reflects broader trends in how cities are rethinking property owners' freedoms.
From a liberty standpoint, owning chickens is not much different from owning cats or dogs. Animal ownership comes with responsibilities such as feeding, sheltering and maintaining sanitary conditions. Although caring for chickens may be new to some, it's well within the average person's ability to manage.
Concerns about noise and odors often surface in debates over animal ownership. However, when properly cared for, the noise and odors from chickens are minimal and hardly noticeable, even in close quarters.
City regulations on backyard chickens should be straightforward, focusing on key issues like noise, odor and sanitation. Farmington, for example, offers a great example of how to regulate backyard chickens effectively. They avoid unnecessary rules, such as requiring permits and fees, imposing overly strict limits on the number of chickens, or banning them on smaller lots. This approach balances the needs of residents while keeping the regulations simple and fair.
LEE SANDS
Libertas Institute
When, Not If
All those living in Utah need to be aware that the high school shooting tragedy in Georgia will likely happen here. Utah has all the ingredients: lax gun laws; easy access to weapons (often found as close as parents' bedrooms); and disturbed male teens.
Utah remains one of the top states for suicide. One will find little concern about curbing gun violence from the Governor's Mansion and with GOP control of both state legislative chambers.
Often a key part of being a macho man in Utah is owning multiple weapons, including AR-15s. Sadly, many local wives share their husbands' love of guns. And Utah schools rarely have trained psychologists or even school nurses on campuses.
Not all of the paranoia relating to outsiders of 200 years ago has dissipated. On most evenings, local news leads with the stories of the day's murders. It could be seriously curbed, but politicians need the NRA campaign funds and the votes of the gun lovers.
TED OTTINGER
Taylorsville
Save the Great Salt Lake
Mercury and arsenic underwater are safe,
But above ground as toxic dust will Utahns strafe.
The Great Salt Lake harbors this public health's zero hour,
As it shrinks exposing the lake bottom's deadly power.
Two-thirds of river and upstream water diversions,
Bereaves the lake of proper safe water elevations.
A dried up Salt Lake devoid of brine shrimp and flies,
For migrating birds their primary food source deprives.
Water now the most important commodity of our lives,
Need come to the Great Salt Lake so that it survives.
It must be a protected resource for humanity,
To triumph over our man-made adversity.
This gracious gift of life Nature provides for all,
Save Great Salt Lake to prevent existence's death caterwaul.
GEORGE KIBILDIS
Sparta, New Jersey
Care to sound off about a feature in our pages or a local concern? Write to comments@cityweekly.net or post on our social media.
More by City Weekly Readers
-
Feedback from October 3 and Beyond
- Oct 9, 2024
-
Feedback from September 26 and Beyond
- Oct 2, 2024
-
Feedback from September 19 and Beyond
- Sep 25, 2024
- More »
Latest in Letters
